HSGD > June 2008 eSpirit Newsletter > Head Start Alumni, Our Future Leaders of America Story by Benisha Chiles Jazkira Combs, a 3rd grader at Charles Rice Elementary Learning Center, can attest that Head Start is paving the way for success! Her mother remembers how she was concerned about Jazkira’s reading in the beginning of her second year at Head Start. By the time Jazkira, who also goes by the name of Jazz, was ready to transition to public school, she was reading above her age level.   Her kindergarten teacher, Ms. Glapsie, said that she could remember Jazz’s first day of school. “Jazz was way more advanced than the other children. That year, I had quite a few children that didn’t transition from Head Start or day care. I remember thinking that this year may be challenging. Although we expect Head Start children to come in at the appropriate education level or a higher level than those who come from home or day care, she came in with fire up under her seat! Eager to learn and to help others, Jazz made what I thought would be a challenging year, a lot smoother!”   Jazz was a student at Nolan Estes, which after 16 years, will be closing this year. I spoke with Site Manager Ms. Linda Allen and she said, "It's great to know that hard work is paying off. At times, it's easy to get discouraged with so much adversity facing you, the children, and the community. I'm glad to see that our students are really proof that Head Start of Greater Dallas is making a positive impact on the lives of our children and families. It’s stories like this that keep you striving even more than before."   This year proved extremely challenging for Jazz, due to missing two weeks from school because of staph infection," stated her mother, Kenosha Combs. "We expected her to still succeed, but she went above and beyond our expectations,” explained Jazz’s father, Carlos Combs. "We were distressed by knowing that this year was a bad year for staph infection and many children in the community were at risk, but we put our faith in God and we prayed, and she soared!”   In spite all of the adversity, Jazz was still able to obtain an A average in all of her classes, making her the winner of the Tiger Award. The Tiger Award is given to the student with the highest grade point average in each class. She also scored PERFECT scores in the reading and math portions of the TAKS test!  Charles Rice Elementary Learning Center held its awards ceremony on June 3rd in which Jazkira took home several awards. They included Outstanding Achievement in Reading, Science, Math, and Social Studies, Outstanding Talented and Gifted (TAG) Student, Exemplary Talented and Gifted Student (scoring one of the highest averages for her grade in the program), Mr. Strong Good Citizenship Award in music, and Six Flags 6 Hours of Reading Award. Her other accomplishments included the Ms. Charles Rice award (raising over $800) and 3rd place in the oratorical contest. She is also the cheerleader manager at Rice Elementary and an active member in her church, Willow Grove Baptist, where she sings in the youth choir and participates in praise dances.   When I asked Jazz what she remembered the most about Head Start, she said her teacher. "Ms. Mayberry was nice. Oh, and Ms. LaBorde, too. They taught me my colors, numbers, my shapes, and helped me learn how to read." She also remembered that Ms. Mayberry and Ms. LaBorde would play music at nap time.   When Jazkira grows up, she would like to be a teacher and possibly work for Head Start. When I asked her what makes her want to be a teacher and work for Head Start, she said "Because, they helped me and my mother and my dad; now, I want to help them." This is a perfect example of why Head Start of Greater Dallas has had so much success, and every supporter of Head Start contributes to that. From the director, to the parents, the community, the janitor, and the receptionist, because of you, we are shaping the leaders for tomorrow!   Jazkira, you rock! >>>  Return to Cover >>